Communities across Northeast Louisiana are gearing up for a weekend of celebrations and remembrance as the nation observes Juneteenth, a holiday commemorating the end of slavery in the United States. The holiday, which gained national recognition as a federal holiday in 2021, creating a three-day weekend, has its roots in the historic events of June 19, 1865, when Union soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas, and announced that all enslaved people were free, more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation.
Town of Richwood
The Town of Richwood is hosting a two-day community event called “Their Wildest Dreams” on Friday, June 14, and Saturday, June 15. The celebration will feature a parade starting at the Richwood Multi-Purpose Center on Friday at 6 p.m. On Saturday, historical artifacts and an art exhibit will be on display at the Multi-Purpose Center from 1–5 p.m., followed by a festival at Mary Francis Goins Park from 5-8 p.m., complete with jumpers, a waterslide, games, prizes, vendors, and music.
Monroe Mashup
In Monroe, a unique and creative scavenger hunt called the “Monroe Mashup” will take place on Juneteenth. While not explicitly Juneteenth-themed, this family-oriented activity, organized by Kat Nelson of Alley Kat Adventures, promises to be a fun and engaging experience. Participants will gather at CC’s Coffee House on Tower Drive to receive their digital quests from a live, interactive remote host before setting off to explore various locations around town.
Annual Parade
The 19th Annual Juneteenth Celebration & Parade, sponsored by Marie Brown, will be held on June 15 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The event will feature a unity parade starting at Wossman High School and ending at the Bernstein Park Pavilion behind the Louisiana Purchase Gardens & Zoo. The parade lineup will begin at 8 a.m. at Wossman School, followed by a family day with free food and entertainment at the pavilion.
1k/5K Run
On Saturday, June 29, the NELA African American Heritage Museum will host its annual Health and Healing 1K/5K event to celebrate Juneteenth. The event, sponsored by Northeast Delta Human Services Authority, Black Creative Circle of North Louisiana, and the Northeast Louisiana Black Chamber of Commerce, will take place from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. at 1051 Chennault Park Dr. and is free to the public.
White Party
Rounding out the festivities, the Monroe Regional Black Chamber of Commerce is hosting a 2024 Juneteenth Weekend Kick-Off “All White Party” on Friday, June 21, from 7 p.m. to midnight at the “W Event Center.” Attendees can enjoy networking opportunities, live music, and a DJ.
As communities come together to celebrate Juneteenth, these events serve as a reminder of the holiday’s historical significance and its ongoing importance in promoting unity, equality, and understanding.
The recognition of Juneteenth as a federal holiday in 2021 has provided an opportunity for all Americans to reflect on the legacy of slavery and the long struggle for freedom and equality.
The three-day weekend also allows for more time to gather with family and friends, participate in community events, and engage in conversations about the nation’s history and the work that still needs to be done to achieve true racial justice.
